VAQ-131
Electronic Attack Squadron 131 | |
---|---|
![]() VAQ-131 insignia | |
Active | 1946 |
Country | United States of America |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) |
Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Whidbey Island |
Nickname(s) | Fourunners (VAH-4) Lancers (VAQ 131) |
Motto(s) | The Tip of the Spear |
Commanders | |
Current commander | Commander Ryan mattson, USN |
Electronic Attack Squadron 131 (VAQ-131), also known as the "Lancers," is a United States Navy tactical jet aircraft squadron specializing in kinetic and non-kinetic Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). They are based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, flying the EA-18G Growler.[1] Their radio callsign is "Skybolt."
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/KA-3B_VAH-4_CVA-19_1967.jpeg/220px-KA-3B_VAH-4_CVA-19_1967.jpeg)
VP-931
VAQ-131 was originally established as Patrol Squadron 931 (VP-931). From 1946 through 1955, VP-931 flew the P2V Neptune.
VAH-4
In 1956, the squadron transitioned to the A-3 Skywarrior and was redesignated as Heavy Attack Squadron 4 (VAH-4).
During the Vietnam War detachments from VAH-4 were deployed on the following aircraft carriers operating on Yankee and Dixie Stations:[2]
- 1 August 1963 – 10 March 1964, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany for a Western Pacific deployment
- 28 January-21 November 1964, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
- 21 October 1964 – 29 May 1965, Detachment L A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
- 10 May-13 December 1965, Detachment 62 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Independence
- 28 September 1965 – 13 May 1966, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
- 19 October 1965 – 13 June 1966, Detachment C A-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk On 12 April 1966 the People's Republic of China claimed to have shot down a U.S. aircraft over the Leizhou Peninsula. The aircraft was identified as being squadron KA-3B #142653 which disappeared en route from Naval Air Station Cubi Point to the Kitty Hawk with four crewmen onboard.[3]
- 26 October 1965 – 21 June 1966, Detachment M A-3Bs were embarked on USS Enterprise
- 29 May-16 November 1966, Detachment G A-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
- 15 October 1966 – 29 May 1967, Detachment E A-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
- 5 November 1966 – 19 June 1967, Detachment C KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
- 5 January-22 July 1967, Detachment B A-3Bs were embarked on USS Hancock
- 26 January-25 August 1967, Detachment 31 A-3Bs were embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard
- 16 June 1967 – 31 January 1968, Detachment G/34 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Oriskany
- 18 November 1967 – 28 June 1968, Detachment 63 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Kitty Hawk
- 28 December 1967 – 17 August 1968, Detachment 14 KA-3Bs were embarked on USS Ticonderoga
In addition to the carrier deployments, in 1966 a detachment of KA-3Bs was also sent to operate from NAS Cubi Point and Da Nang Air Base.[4]
VAQ-131
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/A_U.S._Navy_EA-6B_Prowler_aircraft_assigned_to_Electronic_Attack_Squadron_%28VAQ%29_131_prepares_to_launch_from_the_flight_deck_of_the_aircraft_carrier_USS_Ronald_Reagan_%28CVN_76%29_Nov._6%2C_2013%2C_while_underway_in_131106-N-UK306-015.jpg/220px-thumbnail.jpg)
In November 1968, VAH-4 received the EKA-3 version of the Skywarrior and was redesignated as Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 131 (VAQ-131). In 1971, they became the second squadron in the U.S. Navy to receive the Standard version of the EA-6B Prowler. The squadron transitioned to the Expanded Capability (EXCAP) version of the Prowler in 1976, to the Improved Capablility (ICAP) Prowler in 1978, and to the ICAP II Prowler in 1984.[5] In May 2014, they transitioned to the Boeing EA-18G Growler, which they currently operate. The EA-18G expanded the squadron's capabilities to enable more effective prosecution of radar and Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) sites in an Integrated Air Defense System (IADS), both through air-to-ground weapon employment and precision electronic attack, the latter being the Growler's niche capability. The EA-18G is also a capable air-to-air combat platform.
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports:
Aircraft Assignment
References
- ^ Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadrons
- ^ "Carrier, Carrier Based Squadrons and Non-Carrier Based Squadron Deployments to Vietnam" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. 1995. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ "Statement concerning continuation of missing in action status" (PDF). 12 April 1967. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "A-3 Squadron History". A-3 Skywarrior Association. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
- ^ VAQ-131 official website